Posted on 12/13/2005 4:48:03 PM PST by Thunder90
Katherine Jashinski Statement read near Fort Benning gate November 17, 2005
My name is Katherine Jashinski. I am a SPC in the Texas Army National Guard. I was born in Milwaukee, WI and I am 22 years old. When I graduated high school I moved to Austin, TX to attend college. At age 19 I enlisted in the Guard as a cook because I wanted to experience military life. When I enlisted I believed that killing was immoral, but also that war was an inevitable part of life and therefore, an exception to the rule.
After enlisting I began the slow transformation into adulthood. Like many teenagers who leave their home for the first time, I went through a period of growth and soul searching. I encountered many new people and ideas that broadly expanded my narrow experiences. After reading essays by Bertrand Russel and traveling to the South Pacific and talking to people from all over the world, my beliefs about humanity and its relation to war changed. I began to see a bigger picture of the world and I started to reevaluate everything that I had been taught about war as a child. I developed the belief that taking human life was wrong and war was no exception. I was then able to clarify who I am and what it is that I stand for.
The thing that I revere most in this world is life, and I will never take another person's life.
Just as others have faith in God, I have faith in humanity
I have a deeply held belief that people must solve all conflicts through peaceful diplomacy and without the use of violence. Violence only begets more violence.
Because I believe so strongly in non-violence, I cannot perform any role in the military. Any person doing any job in the Army, contributes in some way to the planning, preparation or implementation of war.
For eighteen months, while my CO status was pending, I have honored my commitment to the Army and done everything that they asked of me. However, I was ordered to Ft. Benning last Sunday to complete weapons training in preparation to deploy for war.
Now I have come to the point where I am forced to choose between my legal obligation to the Army and my deepest moral values. I want to make it clear that I will not compromise my beliefs for any reason. I have a moral obligation not only to myself but to the world as a whole, and this is more important than any contract.
I have come to my beliefs through personal, intense, reflection and study. They are everything that I am and all that I stand for. After much thought and contemplation about the effect my decision will have on my future, my family, the possibility of prison, and the inevitable scorn and ridicule that I will face, I am completely resolute.
I will exercise my every legal right not pick up a weapon, and to participate in war effort. I am determined to be discharged as a CO, and while undergoing the appeals process; I will continue to follow orders that do not conflict with my conscience until my status has been resolved. I am prepared to accept the consequences of adhering to my beliefs.
What characterizes a conscientious objector is their willingness to face adversity and uphold their values at any cost. We do this not because it is easy or popular, but because we are unable to do otherwise. thank you.
Whine all you want. Now, shut up and cook. Breakfast at 0600 for 150.
I believe the DUMBASS sign is blinking brightly above this one's head.
It's no wonder a lot of people think there is a draft or will be a draft with idiots like this around.
I'm stuned.
CO status is only operative during a draft.
In WWII. Koreas and Vietnam, there were 2 types of CO staus granted by local draft boards, 1-O (objecting to serve in the military) and 1-A-O (objecting to bear arms, but not to serve. Most in the later category were trained as medics and shipped out. Many served in Vietnam.
"Because I believe so strongly in non-violence, I cannot perform any role in the military. Any person doing any job in the Army, contributes in some way to the planning, preparation or implementation of war.
I will continue to follow orders that do not conflict with my conscience until my status has been resolved."
Which is it?
I have a moral obligation not only to myself but to the world as a whole, and this is more important than any contract
But her "moral obligation" with the world is not a "Contract" too?
If they let her out I hope the Guard gets their money back. I'm sure the real reason she joined was for tuition assistance for college.
Don't you know? The US military is a Jobs program. Participation in actual wafare is up to the individual.
Whatt's the problem? I have a solution that ought to make both her and the Army happy.
Instead of weapons training, put her through a paramedic program. When she is done, she can do a stint in Afghastan, or Iraq -- in one of the really, really, hot areas, as far as terrorist activity goes -- as a live-in medic to the local community. Run an aid station for either Iraqi or Afghan civilians in a no-go zone.
No weapons of course, but that's ok, because she thinks weapons are B-A-D. This way she can help those in need, maintain her pacifistic principles, while demonstrating that she is motivated by principle, not fear. The army gets someone to help community relations -- and to serve as a rallying point for the civilians to avenge when she gets martyred.
She is a closet communist, and only joined the Military for the money.
Hopefully not.. She may be one of those Debra LaFave characters.
It is called Desertion.
It's true. It is good that they can surround Austin with PW's and Freepers on a moment's notice, because that place is out of touch with the state of Texas.
She probably hates guns, and has a liberal outlook on them.
"Oh no, that Assault Rifle could hurt a kid. Why should I pick it up"
And other Brady Campagin BS.
And you thought the military's job was to do what.....?
And you'll have plenty more time for that in prison.
No doubt she will...
More proof that CodePink supports desertion and other anti-American activities...
Fort Benning, GA – Army National Guard Specialist Katherine Jashinski, on active duty with the 111th ASG since January of this year, makes a public statement as a conscientious objector to the U.S. wars in the Middle East in the face of orders to participate in weapons training and deploy to the region. She will be joined by several members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. Jashinski applied for a discharge as a conscientious objector in 2004. The Army recently denied her claim and ordered her to weapons training and deployment this week.
Speakers at the press conference include Aiden Delgado, an Army Conscientious Objector and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War. “Iraq Veterans Against the War support the right of every soldier to follow their conscience. Today’s revelation that chemical weapons were used against citizens in Fallujah is evidence that the war is illegal and immoral.”
Jashinski’s counselor, Persian Gulf War Army Conscientious Objector Aimee Allison is speaking at the press conference, “As the first woman GI to publicly take a stand against this war and declare herself a conscientious objector, Katherine’s actions are very significant. She is showing remarkable courage.”
Jashinski’s lawyer J.E. McNeil with the Center for Conscience and War will also discuss her legal status and the case. She comments, “This is yet another in a long line of actions by the military to defy its own rules to get the numbers of people they need to continue this war.”
Katherine is actively supported by CODEPINK, a women-initiated grassroots peace group. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINKadds, “I applaud Katherine’s courageous stand against the continued U.S. role in bringing violence to the Middle East.”
Father Roy Bourgeois, a Vietnam War veteran and founder of School of the Americas Watch will also speak. Jashinki’s statement comes on the eve of a national demonstration at the gates of Fort Benning to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas. “U.S. foreign policy as it exists today is fundamentally out of alignment with Americans’ values of peace and justice.”
> I don't know WHERE in the South Pacific, but it wasn't MY island.
No mine... I hope. But they tell me Gilligan's Island can be found hereabouts, tho it be uncharted...
> Get her out. Love America or leave it.
Yup. Stupid kid, no brains. No hoo-haw, no ceremony, no court martial, no CNN, no fame and fortune, no jail time, no nothing. No attention from nobody. Send her home out of Harm's Way, quietly and in disgrace.
And no book and movie deals to pay for her college education either. She can do it the hard way because there is nothing of "human interest" in her story.
Just another dumb kid: the world's full of 'em.
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